Skip to main content

Average

#278 of 574 schools in SD

Top 48% in state

Willow Lake Middle School - 03

Middle School · Willow Lake School District 12-3

PO Box 170, Willow Lake, SD 57278

Enrollment

63

Student-Teacher

21:1

Score

6.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Willow Lake

#1 of 4

public schools

South Dakota middle schools

#61 of 144

In district

#1 of 4

Willow Lake School District 12-3

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Willow Lake Middle School - 03

Willow Lake Middle School - 03 is a small public middle school located in the remote rural area of Willow Lake, South Dakota. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of just 63 students and three full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 21:1. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.4 out of 10, placing it at number 286 among South Dakota’s 586 schools, reflecting room for academic growth.

In terms of test performance, 58% of students are proficient in ELA/Reading, while 38% meet the proficiency standards in Math. Willow Lake Middle School focuses on student development and offers a supportive environment where each child can receive personalized attention. The school community is tight-knit, with teachers and staff working closely to ensure that every student receives the support they need.

Willow Lake Middle School - 03 stands out as a pillar of educational support in its remote setting, fostering a nurturing atmosphere for young adolescents.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 63 students, Willow Lake Middle School - 03 is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

The student-teacher ratio at Willow Lake Middle School - 03 is 21:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Willow Lake Middle School - 03 may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics6.9Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency44.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected+4.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
Resources & Environment2.0Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,121

Willow Lake Middle School - 03 — Students at Willow Lake Middle School - 03 score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SD EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 37.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.8%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
34.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
64.5%
2022
Math
44.5%
ELA
54.5%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.6/10.

How Willow Lake Middle School - 03 Compares

See how Willow Lake Middle School - 03 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
52th percentile in SD
Academic
6.9/10
6.9/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
2.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers

Location

PO Box 170, Willow Lake, SD 57278

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Willow Lake Middle School - 03 may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Clark Middle School - 03 (rated 5.7/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Clark), with a comparable rating. Another option is Iroquois Middle School - 02 (rated 5.3/10, 21.0 miles away, in nearby Iroquois), a more accessible option. Additionally, Henry Middle School - 03 (rated 5.1/10, 19.5 miles away, in nearby Henry), a more accessible option. For more schools in Willow Lake, see our Willow Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Willow Lake Elementary - 02 Willow Lake 0.0 mi 4.0
Willow Lake High School - 01 Willow Lake 0.0 mi 5.8
Mayfield Colony Elementary - 04 Willow Lake 5.5 mi 4.8
Collins Colony Elementary - 06 Willow Lake 6.4 mi
Silver Lake Colony - 07 Clark 16.5 mi
De Smet High School - 01 De Smet 17.3 mi 7.6
De Smet Middle School - 03 De Smet 17.3 mi 3.2
Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary - 02 De Smet 17.4 mi 5.5
SUNNY PLAINS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Iroquois 15.0 mi 5.4
Clark Elementary - 02 Clark 18.0 mi 8.0
Clark High School - 01 Clark 18.1 mi 5.2
Clark Middle School - 03 Clark 18.1 mi 5.7
Fordham Colony Elementary - 04 Carpenter 16.4 mi 5.4
Henry Elementary - 02 Henry 19.5 mi 4.0
Henry High School - 01 Henry 19.5 mi 6.0
Henry Middle School - 03 Henry 19.5 mi 5.1
Hillcrest Colony Elementary - 05 Garden City 21.9 mi 5.6
Shamrock Colony Elementary - 05 Willow Lake 15.7 mi
Iroquois High School - 01 Iroquois 21.0 mi 7.0
Iroquois Middle School - 02 Iroquois 21.0 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 57278 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,938

Median Home Value

$202,700

Median Rent

$745/mo

Population

1,082

College Educated

21.7%

Homeownership

78.7%

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

22.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Willow Lake Middle School - 03 has a median household income of $65,938. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $202,700, with a median rent of $745/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
McLaughlin Middle School - 03 Mclaughlin, SD 6.4
Timber Lake Middle School - 03 Timber Lake, SD 6.4
Ipswich Middle School - 04 Ipswich, SD 6.5
Florence Middle School - 03 Florence, SD 6.6
Langford Area Middle School - 03 Langford, SD 6.6
Freeman Jr High - 05 Freeman, SD 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Willow Lake Middle School - 03

What grades does Willow Lake Middle School - 03 serve?

Willow Lake Middle School - 03 serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Willow Lake Middle School - 03?

Willow Lake Middle School - 03 has an enrollment of approximately 63 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Willow Lake Middle School - 03?

The student-teacher ratio at Willow Lake Middle School - 03 is 21:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Willow Lake Middle School - 03 rank in SD?

Willow Lake Middle School - 03 is ranked #278 out of 574 schools in SD.

What is Willow Lake Middle School - 03's MySchoolScout rating?

Willow Lake Middle School - 03 has a composite rating of 6.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Willow Lake Middle School - 03?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Willow Lake Middle School - 03 has 37.8% math proficiency and 57.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Willow Lake Middle School - 03 a charter school?

No, Willow Lake Middle School - 03 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Willow Lake Middle School - 03 a Title I school?

No, Willow Lake Middle School - 03 is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Willow Lake Middle School - 03?

34.9% of students at Willow Lake Middle School - 03 qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
63
Student-Teacher Ratio
21:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Clark County
Data Year
2023–2024

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.